Water Safety

Derwent Rowing Club aims toencourage all members to think about safety first in all rowing activities both on and off the water.

There is a Rowing Safety Noticeboard in the Clubhouse. Please familiarise yourself with the information on this board and check regularly for new information and updates. This page also summarises further documents relating to safety.

The Club has adopted British Rowing Row Safe policy and this guidance should be read by all members and parents. It can be viewed on line but some key points are detailed on this page.

The Club’s Water Safety Policy can be downloaded which details the steps taken to minimise any risks to yourself or equipment which may be associated with activities on the water and the Venue Safety plan applies to the Clubhouse. A copy of the Water Safety Policy is attached to the Safety noticeboard.

A risk assessment will be carried out before rowers take to the water and recorded on the Risk Assessment form

The Environment Agency link shows the water level of the Derwent in Derby and is a useful tool to determine whether the river is in flood, whether the level is rising or falling and in combination with the levels detailed in the Water Safety Policy will determine whether you can take to the water.

On applying for membership, applicants must ensure they can swim 50m in light clothing, tread water for 2 minutes and swim underwater for 5 meters. If they cannot sign to say they can achieve the criteria they must wear a personal flotation device.

Capsize drills and swimming tests will be undertaken at regular intervals by the Club at a local pool. If you capsize the information on the Stay with the Boat poster should be followed. Information relating to cold water immersion and hypothermia can be found in the guidance document.

Any incidents must be recorded in the Club Incident report folder; examples of such incidents would be near misses, act of violence or hooliganism, and incidents in or around the boat house. i.e. twisted ankles, pulled muscles or other minor injuries caused during land training or when putting a boat away and boat capsize or collisions.

All members will be introduced to the Map in the clubhouse which details the circulation pattern to be followed along with any fixed and temporary hazards that may be encountered.

The Club has a number of trained first aiders whose details can be found at the first aid point by the front door.